Material loading apparatus



Jan. 6, 1942..

R. c. ossoon MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 19, 1940 R. C. OSGOOD MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1940 5 Sheets'-Sheet 2 Jan. 6, 1942. R. c. OSGQOD 2,268,570

MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS $021922 6 Osyaad.

Jan. 6, 1942. R. c. OSGOOD MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 shovel.

2,2ss,57o I MATEREAL tome APP TUS Robert C. Osgood, Claremont, N. H, assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 19, 1949, Serial No. 324,826 27 Claims. (01. 214-122) This invention relates to material loading apparatus, and more particularly to improvements with parts in elevation, taken substantially on line l-fl of Fig. 2.

in the supporting; guiding and operating means for the shovel of amine car loader of the type commonly known as a muck loader.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved material loading apparatus having improved loading means. Another object is to pro-- vide an improved mine car loader having improved means for supporting, guiding and operating the shovel thereof whereby a minimum amount of head room is necessary for shovel movement. A further object is to provide an improved supporting and guiding structure for supporting and guiding theshovel and improved means for controlling the path of swinging movement of the latter whereby a minimum amount of head room is necessary for shovel movement without decreasing-the discharge height of the improved mounting structure for the shovel whereby when the latter approaches its dumping position it is automatically elevated so that not only is the head room necessary for shovel movement maintained at a but also the discharge height of-the shovel is substantially increased. Yet another object is to provide an improved mine car loader of the fluid actuated type having improved fluid supply connections.

Still-another object is to provide improved means for controlling the return movement of the shovel from its raised dumping position to its lowered digging position, embodying improved shovel return means controlled in a novel and improved manner. A still further object is to provide improved means for initiatin return movement of the shovel, having improved means operated by the shovel for automatically controlling r the same. Other objects and advantages'of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

Inthe accompanying drawings there are shown flcation which the invention may In these drawings: j

1 is a side elevational loader embodying vention. V

Fig. 2 is a. plan view of the mine 'carloader showninFig.1. f'

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

A still further object is to provide an Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken'substantially on line 55 of Fig. 4. r Fig. -6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken substantially on line 1'| of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig-10 is a detail sectional view taken on line Ill-I0 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view taken on line llll of Fig. 9. c

Fig. 12 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in longitudinal verticalsection, showing the path of movement of the shovel as it passes from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position, the view taken in the plane of the.section shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 is a view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially .on line' |3--l3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view in end elevation taken on theline lL-ll of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig.12, showing amodified arrangement, otparts.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention the improved shovel supporting, guiding and for purposes of illustration one form and a modiassume in practice. e

view of a mine car an illustrative form of the in- Fig. 4 a view in longitudinal vertical section,

operating means is generally desi n ted l and is shown embodied in a mine car loader which may be of the same general type as that disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 184,447, filed be embodied in material loading apparatus of various other types. g

V The mine car'loader disclosed is of the type commonly known as a muck loader, especially adapted to use in loading loose' rock or muck from the heading of a timnel'. s uch as a mine tunnel in metal mining work, although it will be obvious that if desired the loader may be employed in general loading work. The shovel supporting, ,guiding and operating means I is mounted on a portable base whichherein' com prises a wheeled truck 2 adapted to travel along a trackway 3 laid on the mine floor. The wheeled truck 2 has swivelly mountedthereon a horizontally swingable frame 4 whicnparrie's the shovel supporting. guiding and operating'means I, and thisswivelled frame has vertical side plates tudinal edges to upstanding lugs on the swiveled frame. Secured to the truck frame and projecting centrally upwardly within a hollow bearing support on the swiveled frame is a stationary -vertical shaft 8 supporting hearings on which the frame 4 is swivellymounted, and the swivelled frame is retained in position on its bearings by a retaining cap 1 secured to the shaft. A conventional fluid actuated reversible motor 8 is arranged 'on the truck frame 2 beneath the swivelled frame 4 and is suitably operatively connected through clutch-controlled gearing 9 to the truck wheels, so that the loader may be propelled in either of opposite directions along the mine trackway. The motor 8 is controlled by a conventional reversing valve l operated through a flexible operating shaft H by a control handle |2.

Mounted on the swivelled frame 4 between the vertical side walls 5, 5 thereof is a shovel or bucket |3 supported by side arms I4, |4 having integral segmental arms I5. ,The shovel side arms are movably supported on the frame side walls 5, 5, and, -in this instance, the vertical side walls have secured thereto at their inner sides, substantially midway vertically thereof, longitudinallyextending elongated guide members l8 each providing a horizontal forward guideway l1 and an upwardly inclined'rearward guideway l8, and'guiding rollers l9 journaled on the shovel side arms l4 to turn on axes coincident with the rolling support axes, are mounted in these guideways. The rollers l9 engaging the guide members |8 provide a rolling pivotal support for the shovel as the latter is swung about its fulcrum point, and serve to confine the shovel ,against undesired vertical displacement, either upwardly or downwardly.

The segmental arms l5 have cable guiding grooves-for receiving flexible cables 20, each swivelly secured at one end at 2| to the frame 4 and at the opposite end by a yieldable spring connection 22 to a segmental arm, and a second pair of cables 23, 23 are each swivelly secured at one end at 24 to the frame 4 and at their opposite ends by yieldable spring connections 25 to the segmental arms, the cables passing around the cable guiding grooves on the arms in the manner shown. These pairs of cables serve to compel sw nging movement of the arms, thereby to effect movement of the shovel side arms bodily longitudinally as theyare swing, and to provide in effect a moving fulcrum point for the shovel; and they serve to effect swinging movement of the shovel through a wide are as it moves from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice 'versa. The frame side walls 5, 5 are cut away near their lower edges at 28 to provide openings to permit the escape of dirt which might collect beneath the segmental arms, thereby; reducing the possibility of dirt packing in around the cables and in the grooves, in an obvious manner. I

I For raising and lowering the shovel 3 on its rolling mounting, means is provided comprising flexible side,chains 2'l adapted to be wound on flanged wheels or drums 28, one endof' each chain being fastened to a drum while the other ends of the chains are secured aft-29 to the segmental l5 at the ends of the latter nearer the shovel side arms. The intermediate portions of the chains 2lpass around arcuate guiding sur- 2 2,268,570 5, 5 secured, as by bolts, near their lower longi-' faces are disposed in parallelism with the cable guiding grooves, so that when the chains 21 are .wound, in by their drums, the shovel is swung upwardly and rearwardly. A reversible fluid actuated motor 3|, similar to the truck propelling motor 8, is employed for rotating the shovel raising drums 28, and this motor is mounted on the swivelled frame 4 and has fixed to its power 'shaft 32 a sprocket 33 connected by an endless drive chain 34 to a chain sprocket 35 keyed to a horizontal shaft 35. This shaft extends transversely between the frame side walls 5, 5 near the rear edges of the latter and is journaled in bearings supported by the frame side walls in the manner shown in Fig. 7. The drums 28 are keyed to the shaft 35 and. driven thereby. .The motor 3| has a conventional reversing valve 31 operable in the manner shown in Fig. 10 through lever and link connections 38 by a hand lever 33.

Pressure fluid may be supplied to the motors 8 and 3| through a supply hose 48 coupled to pipe connections 4| arranged on the truck frame beneath the swivelled frame 4. The pipe connections 4| include a branched pipe 42 leading to and 6). A lateral passage 45 connects the passage 44 with a pipe connection 45 secured to the retaining cap I. As shown most clearly in Fig. 7,

the pipe connection 45 leads to a connection 41 which is in turn connected by a pipe 48 to the reversing valve 31 for the motor 3|. Also leading from the connection 41 is a pipe 49 for supplying fluid under pressure to an automatic centering mechanism for the shovel, and this pipe is connected to a control valve 50 also operated by the hand lever 38. This centering mechanism includes fluid actuated centering cylinders 5| and a locking cylinder 52. Since this centering mechanism does not per se enter into this invention and is clearly described in the copending application above referred to, further description thereof is considered unnecessary other than to state that when the shovel is in a laterally lofaces M on the segmental arms at points most remote frohrftheshovel, and these guiding surcated position with respect to the loader base and is swung upwardly, it may be alined with the base so that discharge of the shovel contents into a mine car M coupled to the rear end of the loader base, is assured. i

As clearly described in the copending applicationabove referred to, secured to the frame side plates 5, 5 near the upper rear corners thereof is a transverse member 54 which serves not only to brace the frame side walls but also to provide a support for a pair of shock absorbing bufier springs 55, and when the shovel is swungupwardly on itsrollingmounting and moves past its center of gravity, projections 58 integral with the shovel side arms |4 engage these bu fler springs to provide a cushioned "stop for the shovel. When the rearward movement ofthe shovel is abruptly stopped by the buffer springs, the shovel 'contents are discharged into the mine car M. As

' spring connections being sufficiently yieldable to permit such upward movement of the shovel supporting arms.

Obviously, the shape and inclination of the roller guideways l1, l8 may be varied in accordance with the result desired. A primary objective will ordinarily be to elevate the ultimate portions of the guideway so that downward movement of the shovel prior to dumping will be lessened while at the same time the raising of the shovel support point will be delayed, relative to the travel of the shovel arms, in such manner as to hold down the highest points in the sweep of the shovel. It will be understood that-this objective may be accomplishedby providing a guideway so shaped that the portion thereof which is being traversed by the rolling support point while the shovel is at its so-to-speak vertical position is below a straight line connecting the foremost and rearmost points in the guideway. And as shown in Fig. 15 the guideway may be so shaped, for example, by maintaining its foremost position at the same level as in Fig. 12 and its rearmost portion also at the same level as shown in Fig. 12 but lowering its central portions, that while maintaining the desired initial gathering position and the desired final dumping elevation, the high point in the travel of the shovelv may be materially lowered. This will be more fully described in the detailed discussion of Fig. 15 which occurs hereinafter.

through the front cylinder head. Fluid may be supplied to the rear end of the cylinder through v a pipeil connected to the connection and leading to a valve device 82 carried by the front cylinder head.- This valve device includes a casing having a .bore 63 containing a plunger valve 8|, the latter having spaced end spools connected by a reduced portion and provided with a stem 85 projecting forwardly through the packed front casing head 68. The pipe 6| is connected by a port with an annular groove 61 formed in the .walls of the valve bore, while a similar annular groove 68 is connected by a. port to a pipe 6! leading to the rear end of the return cylinder. The valve bore is connected to atmosphere throughvent ports I0, and the rear end of the valve bore is vented to atmosphere through a port H in the rearcasing head. Pivotally connected at 'llby a pin and slot is a lever," in turn pivotally mounted at I4, and this lever at its upper end projects within a longitudinal groove 15 in the piston rod 60 (see Fig. 9). When the shovel approaches its rearmost dumping position,-a cross plate 18 on the shovel side arms ll engages the front end. of the piston rod 60, which is at that time in its foremost position, and moves. the same rearwardly to 'the positionshown in Fig. 9. When the piston 59 nears its rearmost limit of travel, the end of the groove I engages the .iever II to swing the latter about its pivot,

thereby to eilect movement of the valve 64 into its forward position shown in Figs. 9 and 11. At that time pressure fluid may flow from the pipe I through the groove 61, through the space surrounding the reduced portion between the thence to the rear end of the cylinder 58 at the rear side of the piston 58. As a result the piston 59 is moved forwardly, thereby to impart a powerful thrust to the shovel to move the latter past 6 its center of gravity, the shovel thereafter swinging downwardly by reason of the initial veloc ity from the thrust of thezpiston rod and the acceleration imparted thereto by gravity, into its lowered dig g Position. When the shovel approaches its raised dumping position, the operator effects reversal of the motor 3! so that downward swinging movement .of the shovel may be under the control of thedrums 28 and side chains 21.

In the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 15, the roller guideways are so shaped that the portions thereof which 'are being traversed by the rolling support point while the shovel is in tis vertical position are depressed slightly so that the 20 loading height of the shovel and the head room necessary for shovel movement are substantially reduced. In this"arrangement each of the support guideways has rearwardly and down- -wardly inclined front portions 80, substantially horizontal intermediate portions 8! and upwardly inclined rearward portions 82. Since the segmental arms IS which support the shovel move' downwardly to a position somewhatlower than in the arrangement shown in Fig. 12, it is necessary to move the centering cylinders 5i inwardly nearer the center of the swivel frame so that the segmental arms will clear the same as they move downwardly. It will thus be seen that the rolling support, as the shovel is swung upwardly, moves downwardly along the inclined front por-. tions 80 of the guideways, thereafter traverses its horizontal guidewayportions 8i, and finally moves upwardly along the upwardly inclined rear portions 82,'so that when the shovel moves from 40 one extremeposition to the other, it is substanest portion of its traverse overthe top. of the similar to that above described.

The general mode of operation of the improved mine car loader will be' clearly apparent from the description given. The loader may be propelled -either forwardly or rearwardly alongthe 'mine trackway by the motor 8 under the control 1 .of the reversing valve ill. During the digging operation of the shovel l3, the latter is lowered by swinging the side arms M and segmental arms l5 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1

5' and as indicated in dotted, lines at A m 12,

- and when the shovel is in this position the loadermay be propelled forwardly along the mine trackway under the propulsion of the truck wheels to 'crowd the shovel into the muck pile.

- slightly up and down by the raising drums and" chains to facilitate the digging operation. when the shovel is substantially full, it may be swung upwardly and rearwardly on its rolling moimting from-its digging position into its raised dumping position shown indotted lines in Fig. 1 and in.

ers I! for the shovel side arms leave the horizontal guideways l1 and move upwardly along the inclined rear guideways II. when the shovel reaches the dotted line position indicated at D valve spools, through groove t8 to the pipe 69 and in Fig. 12, the shovel has been elevated slightly tially lowered when it moves through the'hight e 60 shovel crowds into the muck pile, it will be moved] as compared with the position it would have cupied had the guideways remained horizontal. When the shovel has reached its rearmost dumping position,'the rollers I! have reached the tops of the inclined guideways l8 and the shovel at position it would move through a downwardly inclined path as indicated at F in Fig. 12. By the provision of the upwardly inclined rear roller guideways l8, the shovel as it approaches its dumping position moves through a modified arc as indicated at G in Fig. 12, so that when the shovel is in its rearmost dumping position, the lowermost portion of the shovel is located in a substantially higher position than it would be were there not provided the upwardly inclined roller guideways. This improved arrangement not only maintains the head room necessary for shovel movement substantially at a minimum but also reduces the extent of final downward movement of the shovel, thereby,enabling the use of mine cars of substantially greater height and length. The shovel, when it has reached its dumping position, is abruptly stopped by the buffer springs so that the shovel contents will be discharged into the mine car. M. As the shovel approaches its dumping position, the cross plate 116 on the shovel side arms engages the piston rod 60 and moves the piston rearwardly intothe position shown-in Fig. 9, and as a result the valve 66 is moved into a position to eifect supply of pressure fluid to the rear end of the return. v cylinder 58. The action of the fluid on the piston 59 efiects initial forward movement of the shovel past its center of gravity. When the shovelpasses its center of gravity, it swings rapidly downwardly under the efiect of its own weight added to the thrust imparted thereto by the return piston, under the control of the drums and chains. It will thus be seen that the return cylinder is automatically controlled by the shovel.

The mode of operation of the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 15 is essentially the same as that above described except that in this instance the rolling support point for the shovel is lowered when the shovel approaches its upright position, to lower the height of the shovel as it moves over the top of the loader. thereby reducing the overall loading height and the headroom necessary for shovel movement. As the shovel approaches its upright position the rolling support point moves downwardly onto the depressed intermediate portions 8| of the guideways, and since these intermediate guideway portions are below the extremities of the guideways the rolling support point of the shovel is lowered. and as a result the shovel loading height is substantially lowered. As in the tom of the invention moving in .the path of dot and dash lines at E aacawo and Gr in Fig. 12, moves through the'path indicated in dot and dash lines at H in Fig. 15. It will be noted that while the discharge height of the shovel is the same in Figs. 12 and 15, the overall loading height of the shovel in Fig. 15 is substantially lowered. Otherwise the modeof operation of this modified arrangement is similar to that above described.

As a result of this inventionit will be noted that an improved mine car loader is provided having improved means for elevating the shovel 'side arms as the shovel approaches its dumping position, thereby modifying the arc of shovel swing so that the shovel moves through a substantially higher path at that time; and as a.

result the path of shovel movement is, so-tospeak, leveled ofi to a substantial extent as the shovel moves toward its dumping position. By

elevating the shovel as it approaches its dumping position, it is possible to load into mine cars of greater height and/or length than otherwise, without increasing the head room necessary for shovel swing or the amount of rearward move-v ment of the shovel. It will further be evident that by the provision of the control means automatically operated by the shovel, the initial return movement of the shovel is always automatically efiected. By the provision of the fluid supply connection for the shovel swinging motor, extending through the swivel mounting for the swivelled frame, fluid supply to. the motor is simplified. Other objects and advantages of the improved mine car loader will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described one form and a modification which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form and modification of the same are shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its 'spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

- Letters Patent is:

1. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a loading member, a pivoted frame structure for supporting said loading memher for swinging movement from its material receiv'mg position to its material discharging position and vice versa, said swingable frame structure having a moving point of rolling support disposed upwardly a substantial distance above the bottom of said swingable frame structure, and supporting and guiding means for said swingable frame structure comprising a support having vertical side members, horizontal guiding means secured to said side members in elevated position a substantial distance above the bottom of said support and along which said moving point of rolling support is guided during swinging of said frame structure as aforesaid, said guiding means having near its rearward extremity means for efiecting a change in path of said point of rolling support to efi'ectelevation of the latter, thereby to elevate said loading member as it approaches its material discharging position.

2. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a material receiving member, a swingable frame structure for supporting said material receiving member for swinging movement in a vertical direction from its lowered material receiving position to its material discharging position and vice versa, said swingable frame structure having a moving point of suphaving vertical side frames, means secured to said side frames providing 'guideways disposed in elevated positions a substantial distance above the bottom of said support and along which said moving support point of said swingable frame structure is guided for movement as said ma- 0 terial receiving memberswings vertically as aforesaid, said guideway providing means having forward horizontal guideway portions and upwardlyinclined rear guideway. portions, said swingable frame structure as said moving sup ap roaches itsmaterial-discharging position.

3. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a material receiving memher, a swingable frame structure for supporting said material receiving, member for swinging movement in a vertical direction from its lowered material-receiving position to its material discharging position and vice versa,'said swingable frame structure having rolling support members disposed upwardly a substantial distance above the bottom of said swingable frame structure,

andsupporting and guiding means for said swingable frame structurecomprising a support having vertical side frames, means secured to said side frames providing guideway's disposed in elevated positions a substantial distance above the bottom of said supportand along which said rolling support memberslof said 'swingable frame structure are guided: for movement as said material receiving member swings vertically as aforesaid,'said guideway providing means having 40 forward horizontal guideway portions and upwardly inclined rear guideway portions, said swingable frame structure as.said rolling support members thereof move rearwardly from said horizontal guideway portions onto said inclined rear guideway portions moving upwardly, thereby to. elevate said material-receiving member as it approaches its materialdischarging position.

4. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a. support having vertical side walls, a shovel,. a frame structure for supporting said shovel for swinging movement from v a relatively low digging position upwardly over said support to a raised dumping position, means for supporting said frame structure during such swinging" movement including guideways on said vertical side walls in elevated positions a substantial distance above the bottom of said swing able frame structure and extending generally horizontally longitudinally of said support and so means on said swingable frame structure cooperating with said guideways, means 'cooperat.-.-

ing with said frame structure to compel swing;- ing movement thereof as said frame structure moves longitudinally relative to said guideways, 65

and means for moving said frame structure lon-- gitudinally of said guideways to cause the move--. ment of said frame structure and the coaction of,

- the latter with said swinging movement com pelling means to effect movement of said shovel from dig ing to dumping position, said guldeways having near their rearward-ends upwardly inclined portions sloping upwardly relative to the preceding portions thereof for'eflecting elevation operate with the guideways, thereby to elevate the shovel as it approaches its dumping position.

5. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, a pivoted frame structure for supporting said shovel for swinging movement from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, said frame structure having a moving ful 'crum point, connections between said, frame structure and said support for compelling swinging movement of said frame structure, means providing a guidewayon said support having a horizontal front portion and an upwardly inclined rear portion, and a roller journaled on said frame structure and received in said guideway, said roller as it moves up said rear inclined guide portion eifecting elevation of said frame structure, thereby to elevate the shovel as it approaches its dumping position. j

6; In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising'a support, a shovel, a pivoted frame structure for supporting said shovel for swinging movement from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, said frame structure havinga moving point of pivotal support, connections between said frame structure and said support for compelling swinging movement of said frame structure, means providing a guideway on said support having a horizontal front portion and an upwardly inclined rear-"portion, and a roller journaled on an axis coincident with the moving support point of said frame structure and received in said guideway, said roller as it moves up said rear in clined guide portion effecting elevation of said' frame structure, thereby to elevate the shovel as it approaches its dumping position. v

'7. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, a pivoted frame structure for supporting said shovel for ported at a point coincident with the point from which said arcuate arm surfaces are struck to swing about a moving fulcrum point, flexible connections between said support and the segmental arms for compelling swinging movement of said frame structure and having portions passing around said arcuate surfaces, means providing aguideway having a horizontal front portion and anupwardly inclined rear portion, and a'roller journaled on an axis passing through the point of support of said frame structure and engaging said guideway, said roller as itmoves up said rear inclined guide portion efiecti'ng elevation of said frame structure, thereby to elevate the shovel as it approaches its dumping position.

8. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, a pivoted frame structure for supporting said shovel for surfaces, said fframe structure having a moving point of pivotal support coincident with the point from which-said arcuate arm surfaces are struck,

flexible connections between said support and the segmental arms for compelling swinging movement of said frame structure and having portions paming around said arcuate surfaces, means proof said means on said frame structure which 00- vi ing a uideway having a horizontal front porvation of said frame structure, thereby to ele-- vate the shovel as it approaches its dumping position. I

9. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovel on said support for swinging movement in a vertical direction from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, power operated means for initiating the return movement of said shovel from its raised dumping position toward its lowered digging position, and means operated by said shovel as the latter approaches its dumping position for automatically controlling said shovel return means.

, ing an element actuated thereby for initiating the return movement of the shovel.

11. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovel on said support for swinging movement in a-ve'rtical direction from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, means for initiating the return movement of the shovel from its raised dumping position toward its lowered digging position, and means including a control ele- 'ment actuated by said shovel mounting means as said shovel approaches its dumping position for automatically controlling said shovel return means.

12. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovelon said support for swinging movement in a vertical direction from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, fluid actuated means for initiating the return movement of said shovel from its raised dumping position toward its lowered digging position, and controlling means including a valve element actuated by said shovel mounting means as said shovel approaches its dumping position for automatically controlling the flow of fluid to said shovel return means.

13. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovel on said support for swinging movement in a vertical directionirom its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, means for initiating the return movement of said shovel from its raised dumping position toward its lowered digging position including a fluid cylinder containing a reciprocable piston having a piston rod, said shovel mounting means as said shovel approaches its dumping position engaging said piston rod for moving said piston rearwardly, and means including a valve element actuated by said piston rodas said piston moves rearwardly for automatically controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said shovel return cylinder. 1

14. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovel on said support for swinging movement in a vertical direction from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, means for initiating the return movement of said shovel from its raised dumping position toward its lowered digging position including a fluid cylinder containing a reciprocable piston having a piston rod, said shovel mounting means as said shovel approaches its dumping position engaging said piston rod for moving said piston rearwardly, a valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said shovel return cylinder, and a lever actuated by said piston rod for moving said valve into a position to eilect flow of fluid to said shovel return cylinder.

15. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovel on said support for swinging movement in a vertical direction relative thereto from its lowered digg position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, said mounting means having segmental arcuate arms and having a moving point of pivotal support coincident with the point from which the arcuate surfaces of said arms are struck, means connected between said arms and said support for comp ling swinging movement of said mounting means about its fulcrum point as said shovel is swung as aforesaid, and means on said support providing a guideway having a horizontal, front guideway portion and an upwardly inclined rear guideway portion, said support point, as said mounting means'is swung, moving along said guideway and asit moves upwardly along said inclined guideway portion effecting elevation of said mounting means, thereby to elevate said shovel as it approaches its dumping position.

16. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovel on said support for swinging movement in a vertical direction relative thereto from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, said mounting means having segmental arcuate arms supported at points coincident with the points from which the arcuatesurfaces of said arms are struck and having a moving fulcrum point, means connected between said arms and said support for compelling swinging movement of said mounting means about its-fulcrum point as said shovel is swung as aforesaid, and means on said support providing a guideway having arhorizontal front guideway portion and an upwardly inclined rear guideway portion, said points of support as said I mounting means is swung, moving along said guideway and as they move upwardly along said inclined guideway portion eflecting elevation oi said mounting means, .thereby. to elevate laid shovel as it approaches its dumping position, said connecting means between-said arms and said 2,268,570 v and having a moving support point coincident with the point from which the arcuate surfaces of said arms are struck, means connected between said arms and said support for compelling swinging movement of said mounting means about its fulcrum point as said shovel is swung as aforesaid, and means on said support providing a guideway having a horizontal front guideway portion and an upwardly inclined rear guideway portion, said support point, as said mounting means is swung, moving alongsaid guidewayand as it moves upwardly along said inclined guideway portion effecting elevation of said mounting means, thereby to elevate said shovel as it ape proaehes its dumping position, said connecting means between said arms and said support being yieldable' and adapted to yield when said mounting means is elevated as aforesaid.

18. In a material loading apparatus, the com-- bination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovel on saidsupport for swinging movement in a vertical direction relative thereto from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, said mounting means having segmental arcuate arms supported at points coincident with the point Y from which the arcuate surfaces of said arms are struck and having a moving fulcrum point, means connected between said arms and said support for compelling swing movement of said mounting means about its fulcrum point as said shovel is swimg as aforesaid, and means on said support 2l.'In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a portable base, shovellingmechanism pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto from a lowered digging position to a raised dumping position, reversible fluid, actuated means for ef- .fecting swinging movement of said shovelling mechanism as aforesaid, and fluid actuated means operable irrespective of the direction of operation of said reversible swinging means for always automatically providing a force for initi- Y ating return movement of said shovelling mechanism when the latter reaches its dumping position.

22. Ina material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, a pivoted frame structure for supporting said shovel for swinging movement from its lowered digging po-- sition toits raised dumping position and vice versa, said frame structure having a moving point of support located in an elevated position on said support a substantial distance above the bottom of said frame structure, connections between said frame structure and said support forcompelling providing a guideway having a horizontal front bination comprising a'portable base, shovelling mechanism pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto'from a lowered digging position to a raised dumping position and including a shovel and a swingable support therefor, means operatively connected to said swingable shovel support for swinging said shovelling mechanism as aforesaid, buffer meansfor limiting movement of said shovelling mechanism when it reaches its-dumping position, and means operable independently of said support swinging means and always automatically operative when said shovelling mechanism reaches its dumping position to provide a force for efiecting initiation of the return movement of said shovelling mechanism.

20. In a material loading apparatus, the com, binationcomprising a portable base, shovelling mechanism pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto from a lowered vdigging position to a raised dumping position, reversible means for swinging said shovelling mechanism as aforesaid, buii'er means for limiting movement of said shovelling mechanismwhen it reaches its dumpingposition, and means operable irrespective 'of the direction of operation of said reversible swinging means for always automatically providing a force for'initiairing return movement of said shovelling mechanism when the latter reaches its dumping position.

swinging movement of said frame structure as said moving point of support moves longitudinally of said support, means providing a guideway on said support extending longitudinally of said support and having a forward portion supporting the moving point of support for said pivoted frame structure when said shovel is in digging position and a rearward portion supporting said moving point of support when said shovel is in dumping position, and an intermediate portion lying below a straight line connecting said forward and rearward portions, and means for causing saidmoving point of support to traverse said guideway.

bination comprising a support, a shovel, a pivoted frame structure forsupporting said shovel for swinging movement from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, said frame structure having a moving point of support, connections between said frame structure and said support for compelling swinging movement of said frame structure as said moving point of support moves longitudinally of saidsupport, means providing a guideway on said support extending longitudinally of said support and'having a forward portion supporting the moving point of support for said pivoted frame structure when said shovel is in digging position and a rearward portion supporting said moving point of support when said sh'ovel is in dumping position, and 'an intermediate portion lying below the front and rearextremities of said guideway and said intermediate portion connecting said forward and rearward guideway portions and the latter being inclined upwardly from said intermediate portion, and means for causing said moving point of support to traverse said uideway.

24.. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a support, a shovel, a pivoted frame structure for supporting said shovel for swinging movement from its lowered digging posi ion to its raised dumping position'and vice' versa, said frame structure having a moving point of support, connections between said frame structure and said support for compelling swing-- ing movement of: said frame structure as said moving point of support moves longitudinally of said support, said connections including at least one segmental element conforming in curvature 23. ms material loading apparatus, the com bination comprising a support, a shovel, means for mounting said shovel on said support for swinging movement in a vertical direction from its lowered digging position to its raised dumping position and vice versa, means for swinging said shovel from its digging position to its dumping position, and automatic power-actuated means controlled by an element of said shovel swinging means and including a control element actuated thereby for initiating the return movement of the shovel.

26. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a portable base, shovelling mechanism pivotally mounted on said base to swing in'a vertical direction relative thereto from a lowered digging position to a raised dumping position and including a shovel and a swingable support therefor, means operatively connected to, said swingable shovel support for swinging said shovelling mechanism as aforesaid, and motor operated means operable independently of said support swinging means and always automatically operative when said shovelling mechanism reaches its dumping position to provide force fo'r eifecting initiation of the return movement of said shovelling mechanism.

27. In a material loading apparatus, the combination comprising a portable base, shovelling mechanism pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto from a lowered digging position to a raised dumping position, reversible means for swinging said shovelling mechanism as aforesaid, and motor operated means operable irrespective of the direction of operation of said reversible swinging means for always automatically providing a force for initi? ating return movement of said shovelling mechanism when the latter reaches its dumping position.

ROBERT C. OSGOOD. 

